GerardC.
We do not yet know what they saw on their radar display; that portion of the CVR where there may have been crew discussion of what was depicted on the display has not been publicly released.
We do know that a LH 744 preceding AF447 deviated by 10 NM, that an IB 340 at FL 370 and following by 12 minutes deviated by 30 NM, that an AF 330 following by 37 minutes initially deviated by 20 NM to the left of the track, and then 70 to 80 NM to the right of the track, and climbed from 350 to 370.
Vasquez estimates that the top of the Cb AF447 flew into was 56,000 feet. If a Cb of that size had been visible by daylight or moonlight, every pilot flying would avoid it.
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I agree that possible fuel consumption resulting from a possible deviation was not a factor.
Last edited by SaturnV; 2nd Jun 2011 at 18:42.